Have you ever considered the text of the parable of the “Good Samaritan” in literal context?  (Luke 10:25-37)

When I say literal, I mean moving past the dismissiveness of the American culture to leave the needy to “the system.”

I know this is not true as a whole but it is true of most. I’m included.

Jesus’ words in response to this lawyer’s question of, “How do I inherit eternal life?” had to challenge him.

Jesus gave two criteria — but He focused on the second, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

The lawyer followed with another question asking essentially, “How exactly do You define neighbor?”  (In other words, “What’s the minimum standard?”)

Jesus’ answer was in story format as a Jewish man was attacked by thieves and left on the side of the road to die.

Two of his own countrymen passed by over a period that may have been many hours apart.

These were pious and learned men who knew the law and their obligations to this stranger — but they denied it in their actions.

Then a Samaritan passes by.  To him, a Jew is a true stranger.

Chances are that this Jewish man would have veered to the far side of the road to avoid him if they had just been passing.

This man didn’t likely even know the law, and yet he had compassion.

This Samaritan applied first aid and bound up the wounds of this stranger.  He loaded him onto his donkey and quite possibly went out of his way to get to an inn.

He gave the innkeeper two days wages by the common standard (two denarii) and he said he would even come back to pay more, if it was required.

To make a long story short, Jesus’ direct answer to the lawyer’s question of how to obtain eternal life was “Go and do likewise.”

This answer was to the lawyer but was it just to him?

What if it is the same question posed to anyone who bothers to ask?

To be clear, I know that good works are not the root (the foundation) but they are the fruit (the manifestation).

However, “What is my fruit?” is a question we should honestly ask.

Further still, “What is at the heart of this fruit?”

Do we seek justification by works?

Do we seek validation by our efforts?

Clearly, we who are in Christ should not.  Yet, who among Christ followers is given a caveat that this answer does not apply to them?

Honestly, I am convicted and repentant.  I don’t know about you.

How do we, in the church, come close to the needy?

Do we do it in calendared events or are we more attentive to the needs of those around us?

If I found this man I would have called 911 and done my best to minister to him but when we of the Church see needy in the proverbial gutters of society, how can we pass them by?

In summary, my thought is this.

Read the words in read as though Jesus meant each one, because He did.

Read them as they don’t just apply to Pharisees, scribes, religious leaders, rich young rulers, lawyers and so on.

Read them as though they apply to you personally.

I am learning this very thing myself and it is rocking my world.

The American church is failing in their message and its effectiveness.

We, as followers of Christ, need to step out on our own in whatever way we are able.

We are to improve and preserve human lives with tangible help and we are to invite new life by way of The Gospel.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan
“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”” Luke 10:25-37.

 

~ Mitch Salmon

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is the founder of Fisher of Men Productions and a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaimer of the Good News – The Gospel of Christ Jesus!

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